Mercia Waste Management (Mercia) plans to build EnviRecover, a 200,000 tonne energy from waste facility, to recover value from municipal waste from Hertfordshire and Worcestershire.

The decision by councillors will now be referred to the Secretary of State who will consider whether the council can formally grant planning permission or begin a public enquiry.

Mercia submitted the application in April 2010 and say they have undertaken a through consultation programme with the local community.

Mercia co-director, John Plant, said: “We are pleased that the local councillors for Worcestershire have resolved to grant permission for our planning application, however we are aware that the process has not concluded and we will await the Secretary of State’s decision.

“We hope the Secretary of State will recognise that this an important decision to be made locally, by Worcestershire County Council, and not recover the application for his own determination.

“If approved, EnviRecover will allow Worcestershire and Herefordshire to significantly reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill, helping the fight against climate change and generating renewable energy whilst avoiding landfill tax burdens.”

The decision will disappoint opponents to the facility including the Worcestershire Against Incineration and Landfill group who have been fighting against the proposals.

Alison Brown

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